HAVING endured a hairy time 12 months ago, York City’s players have decided not to participate in this year’s Movember campaign.

Moustaches in football might have become as synonymous with the current calendar month as parkin and poppies but the snot mops, cultivated in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, have been conspicuous by their absence during the Minstermen’s first two games in November.

Quashing speculation that the likes of fresh-faced youngsters Elliott Whitehouse and Wes Fletcher might just be taking a little longer to flaunt their facial growth, the club have revealed this week that superstition is behind the tash backlash.

Last season, City had much more joy collecting pounds than points throughout Movember with the 30 days coincinding with a run of six games without a win, including an FA Cup exit at the hands of AFC Wimbledon.

But, rather than becoming an uncharitable bunch, the players will still be throwing their full support behind another Prostate Cancer UK venture.

City’s academy administrator Mark Pinder has voluteered to raise money for the cause by participating in a two-day, 155-mile, London-to-Amsterdam bike ride next June, which is being organised by the Football League.

Former All Saints School pupil Pinder, 23, is hoping to attract £1,200 in sponsorship and has already set up an online donation page at www.justgiving.com

Pinder will start training for the challenge, which will start off at Wembley Stadium, after he has completed the Paris Marathon in April.

He has previously run the London Marathon and the Great North Run, as well as swimming the 10.5-mile length of Lake Windermere, but he is relishing next spring’s two-wheeled adventure, saying: “The club was looking for somebody to go through with it and my name was suggested so I jumped at the chance.

“I do a bit of cycling, not too often, but a couple of times a month. The most I have ever done in a day is about 40 or 50 miles around North Yorkshire, Scarborough and the Wolds.

“I’ve also done triathlons at Beverley and the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.

“You do 20-kilometre rides in those but, with the challenge, we will be doing 80 miles on the first day and 75 on the second with a sleep on the ferry overnight and I am looking forward to cycling over two days rather than just one.

“I’m also looking forward to seeing Amsterdam again. I’ve been twice before although I went by plane then, which is obviously much quicker and easier.

“It’s a place that I like to revisit and we will be there from Saturday afternoon to Sunday lunchtime and, at least, transport will be provided to get us back home.”

While admiring the Dutch capital’s sights might be an attractive incentive, Pinder’s biggest motivation when he climbs on to the saddle next spring will be his desire to support a worthwhile cause.

He added: “Prostate cancer affects so many people’s lives in the UK, including the friends and families of sufferers. The work the charity does is sensational in helping everybody affected and in the striving to find a cure for the disease.

“I think it is great that the football community is pulling together to raise vital funds and, together, we will help more men beat prostate cancer.”

To sponsor Pinder, visit www.justgiving.com/london-to-amsterdam


Carson show poised for repeat triumph on points

JOSH Carson has opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table in The Press Player of the Year standings.

The 20-year-old winger was our man of the match during the FA Cup first round 3-3 draw at Bristol Rovers to receive three points towards the contest, moving him further ahead of fellow Northern Ireland Under-21 international Ryan Brobbel – his nearest rival on the leaderboard.

Ryan Jarvis (two) and Dan Parslow (one) collected the other points as our second and third-highest rated players respectively at the Memorial Stadium.

The two bonus Player of the Month points available to the player who received the most man-of-the-match votes from visitors to our website and the @daveflettpress Twitter account also went to Carson, who is in pole position to win a second successive award after prevailing in October.

To be in with a chance of presenting November’s Player of the Month with their prize – a framed photograph – submit your man-of-the-match votes for today’s home game with Plymouth at www.yorkpress.co.uk or tweet @daveflettpress

The Press Player of the Year latest standings: Carson 16 points, Brobbel 11, Oyebanjo 9, Jarvis 8, Parslow 8, McGurk 7, Montrose 7, Smith 7, Fletcher 7, O’Neill 6, Chambers 5, Bowman 4, Clay 4, Ingham 4, Puri 2, Whitehouse 2, Davies 1.

The Press Player of the Month for November standings: Carson 7, Bowman 5, Jarvis 2, Parslow 2.

Goals: Jarvis 8, Fletcher 5, Brobbel 3, Carson 3, Bowman 2, McGurk 1, Montrose 1, O’Neill 1.

Assists: O’Neill 4, Bowman 3, Brobbel 3, Carson 3, Clay 2, Jarvis 2, Smith 2, Cresswell 1, Fletcher 1, Ingham 1, McGurk 1, Oyebanjo 1.

Bad boys: Montrose five yellow cards; Oyebanjo, Smith, Whitehouse all three yellows; Bowman, Cresswell both one red, one yellow; Carson, Fyfield both two yellows; Chambers, Clay, Coulson, Davies, Jarvis, McGurk, O’Neill, Parslow, Platt all one yellow.


Clarke to take stand

MALCOLM Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters’ Federation, will give a small presentation on safe standing at Thursday’s York City Supporters’ Trust annual general meeting.

Doors will open at 7pm for the Pitchside Bar-hosted event for a 7.30pm start.

Clarke, who is also the Supporters’ Representative on the FA Council, wiil answer questions on safe standing too, with particular reference to the proposed new stadium at Monks Cross.